We tried to think of all the questions we’ve heard or actually wondered about ourselves in the past few years and translated it into this rather long (I call it ‘comprehensive’, Mindy calls it ‘just plain LONG’) FAQ section.
Categories:
The Sport In General | The Team | The Car | Benefits of Becoming a Sponsor | Learning More About Rally
THE CAR
Can I use my own car for rally?
What car do you use?
Looks pretty simple. Put a cage in and it’s a rallycar right?
Why do you have a microphone on your helmet?
Have you crashed?
What if you get into a wreck?
That car got airbags?
What are those crazy lights on the hood?
Subarus sound funny. Why?
Why are Subarus good for rally?
What kind of suspension do you have under there?
Some rallycars bang and pop when they race, what is that?
Does your car shoot fire?
Why the big wing on the back?
Can I use my own car for rally?
Not if you like it! It wouldn’t survive one stage on a traditional rally intact. Not to mention, I don’t know many people who can daily-drive a rally car (except our friend Marvin), but it must be fun! (back to top)
What car do you use?
We use a 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX with an STi motor in it. (back to top)
Looks pretty simple. Put a cage in and it’s a rallycar right?
Well, that and upgraded suspension, all safety devices, a rally computer, intercom, fire suppression, etc…. (back to top)
Why do you have a microphone on your helmets?
We have an intercom system in our helmets so the driver can hear the co-driver shout upcoming road details. It’s very very loud in a rally car, so they are a necessity. (back to top)
Have you crashed?
Funny you should ask! Well not really funny. Yes, we crashed at our first event, Rim of the World, in 2007. Crashing at your first event is a bit of a rite of passage in the CRS and we were happy to keep that legacy going. (back to top)
What if you get into a wreck?
Our safety system (5-point seat belts, helmets, fireproof suits) works together to keep us safe. Our driving style is very conservative to prevent crashes from occurring (especially after RIM). (back to top)
That car got airbags?
No. Airbags are forbidden in rallying. (back to top)
What are those crazy lights on the hood?
Those are our night driving lights - we race at night too! Our 4 auxiliary lights and headlights offer a pencil-beam pattern that shine straight forward and a wide flood pattern that allows us to see well into the corners. (back to top)
Subarus sound funny. Why?
They have an aluminum, horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ engine, like a Porsche. But our cars have 4 cylinders and Porsches have 6. This setup helps with the extremely low center of gravity necessary for precise cornering. (back to top)
Why are Subarus good for rally?
They were designed that way. They have very stout, low slung turbocharged engines, a good amount of suspension travel, a stiff chassis, and excellent reliability. They have been rallied all over the world for over 15 years. And they look real cool too. (back to top)
What kind of suspension do you have under there?
We have Tein HG Rally suspension. This large diameter coil-over system helps us absorb the big bumps and rocks with no problems. It is exceptionally stronger and more durable than the stock suspension. (back to top)
Some rallycars bang and pop like crazy when they race, what is that?
That is called ALS, or Anti-Lag System. Basically it uses the engine’s computer to prevent turbo lag by retarding timing and increasing fuel simultaneously, basically causing combustion outside the chamber to keep the turbine wheel on the turbo spinning. That’s why it sounds like little firecrackers going off, because that’s basically what’s happening! Great for combating turbo lag, bad for longevity of your engine and turbo. (back to top)
Does your car shoot fire?
No, but it’d be a lot cooler if it did. We tried; it didn’t work with the catalytic converter. Sometimes I tell people it does though. :) (back to top)
Why the big wing on the back?
It’s a Subaru, they won’t import them without big wings. Seriously though, at high speeds, the wing aids in rear wheel grip by providing downward pressure (‘downforce’) on the rear end of the car. (back to top)
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